Transitioning from Public and Nonprofit Sector Tech to Corporate Tech

by Yvette Yescas

Many nonprofit and public sector employees will be seeking opportunities in the private sector now as federal funding streams are jeopardized or dry up. We can expect economic turbulence like this to hit historically-excluded groups in the workforce first and hardest. Recessions always displace more women and minority workers and the pandemic was especially severe on black women in the workforce. 

As open doors begin to close, the leap to the private sector, while vital, can seem daunting. For those with a career in public service, mentors in the private sector may be few and mentors who transitioned from the public sector themselves even fewer. “Lean on your network” can feel like weak advice when your network isn’t connected to the jobs you need. At Amplify, we do not want you walking in the dark alone, so here, we illuminate your path from nonprofit and public sector technology to corporate tech. 

These actionable steps will guide you to effectively demonstrate your technical expertise to the right companies with full confidence that you can solve problems for them and their clients. 

Step 1: Articulate a strong understanding of relational databases and data structure. 

If you have no formal technical education or training in data management, utilize free learning resources like Salesforce’s Trailhead to build your vocabulary, knowledge of key concepts, and understanding of how the databases and business intelligence tools you currently use are the same or similar to this widely-used tool. By using Salesforce’s hands-on playgrounds, you can gain experience and skill, not just knowledge. Start with modules or projects about relational databases, object and field creation, and data modeling. 

From there, teach yourself very basic coding in a ubiquitous language like SQL, where a little skill can carry you a long way. Like Salesforce, you can learn SQL for free. If you are unsure where to start, begin with a free environment in Oracle. Self-teaching is important in this field; you don’t need to rely on paid instruction. 

Step 2: Focus on problem-solving! 

Relational databases require constant testing and troubleshooting regardless of how they are being used or in what industry. Problems can be caused by user error, bugs in code, or other inexplicable reasons, so candidates who can identify and solve those problems and demonstrate that in an interview will be more successful. You must be able to describe a real-world technical problem that you’ve encountered, the steps you took to identify the cause, and how you solved it. Use the vocabulary gained in Step 1 to do that. 

Your confidence will grow with your expertise, so when in doubt, find a technical problem that feels too complex for you to solve. Then, work to solve it. Take notes along the way. Find a tool that seems too complicated to learn and tackle learning it. Take notes along the way. Solve problems until you believe in your ability to solve hard problems, and document it until you can talk about it. 

Step 3: Identify companies that build or help implement the tools you have used or tools like them. 

These are companies that will value your knowledge. Seek roles with them where your expertise is relevant, such as technical support or implementation consulting. Your ability to test and troubleshoot their tools can set you apart from the competition, and your subject matter knowledge and vocabulary can help you shine in the interview process. 

For companies who do not serve nonprofit or government clients, lean heavily on your knowledge of data structure, and apply your critical thinking skills to transfer that knowledge to the tool in front of you. 

Skilled technical problem-solvers can’t be ignored in this century, even if they learned about databases in a museum, research institute, or government agency and learned to code for free online. Build your expertise and confidence, and then speak about the technical problems you’ve solved. If you can articulate your problem-solving skills to the right companies, they will know that they need you at the table, especially now! 

If you still need help bridging the distance, please consider participating in Amplify’s programs or Slack channel. Our free resources can build your knowledge, confidence, and network before you take the leap. You’re not in this alone!